CPU Comparison

The AMD Opteron 6328 outperforms the Intel Core i5-3570 across every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, but the margins are consistently narrow, ranging from 7.1% to 7.8%. The Opteron’s win is uniform and total, yet its advantage is not transformative; in single-core tests, the gap is a modest 7.1% to 7.8%, while multi-core tests show a similar 7.2% to 7.3% lead. This means the AMD part is the faster processor in absolute terms, but the Intel chip remains competitive in per-thread workloads, trailing by less than the core-count difference would suggest.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Opteron 6328 wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The largest single margin comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Opteron scores 64 against the i5-3570’s 59, a 7.8% advantage. That is the biggest delta in the entire comparison, and it sets the tone for the rest of the tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Opteron scores 454 versus 421, a 7.3% lead. The R20 multi-core test shows 1894 against 1758, a 7.2% gap, and single-core R20 is 267 versus 248, also 7.1%. The R23 multi-core result is 4510 versus 4187, a 7.2% difference, while R23 single-core is 636 versus 591, 7.1%. Every benchmark, from the older R15 to the newer R23, tells the same story: the Opteron wins by roughly seven percentage points, never more, never less.

What stands out is the consistency. The Opteron does not merely win; it wins by nearly the same margin in every test, whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. This suggests the advantage is not driven by core count scaling, the Opteron has 8 cores versus 4, but by a generally higher per-core performance level. In the R23 multi-core test, the Opteron’s 4510 is 323 points higher than the i5-3570’s 4187, a difference that could be meaningful in sustained rendering. In single-core R23, the 45-point gap (636 vs 591) is enough to skew the verdict in the Opteron’s favor for lightly-threaded tasks as well. The i5-3570’s best result is its R15 multi-core score of 421, but that still trails the Opteron’s 454 by a clear margin. There is no benchmark where the Intel part pulls ahead.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this. The Opteron’s average is 1304, while the i5-3570’s is 1286. That 18-point difference aligns with the head-to-head deltas. The Opteron sits in the 35th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-6400 (avg 1307, 0.2% higher) and the Intel Core i7-3770T (avg 1314, 0.7% higher). The i5-3570, also at the 35th percentile, sees rivals like the AMD Opteron 6272 (avg 1288, 0.1% lower) and the Intel Core i5-3570K (avg 1293, 0.6% lower). Both processors are in the same performance tier, but the Opteron edges out the i5-3570 in every measured test.

The Verdict

The AMD Opteron 6328 is the outright winner in every benchmark, and that is the only verdict the data supports. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with margins of 7.1% to 7.8%. For a user who prioritizes raw performance in Cinebench workloads, the Opteron is the clear pick. It also offers 8 cores and 8 threads against the i5-3570’s 4 cores and 4 threads, which is a structural advantage in heavily parallel tasks, even if the benchmark deltas do not fully reflect that core disparity.

However, the i5-3570 is not without merit. Its single-core scores, while lower, are close, 59 to 64 in R15, 248 to 267 in R20, and 591 to 636 in R23. The 7.1% to 7.8% gap in single-threaded tests is smaller than the 8-core versus 4-core spec sheet suggests. For workloads that are lightly threaded and latency-sensitive, the i5-3570 is not far behind, and its 77W TDP is significantly lower than the Opteron’s 115W. The Intel part also has integrated graphics (Intel HD 2500), which the Opteron lacks entirely. The data shows the Opteron is faster, but the i5-3570 is more efficient and more self-contained.

The Opteron’s production status is end-of-life, as is the i5-3570’s, so neither is a forward-looking purchase. But strictly from benchmark scores, the Opteron is the superior choice for multi-core rendering. The i5-3570 is the choice only if the user needs integrated graphics or lower power draw, because the performance advantage of the Opteron is real but modest. The verdict is decisive: the Opteron wins the benchmark comparison, while the i5-3570 wins on platform features.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-3570 is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, using a 22 nm process node manufactured by Intel. It packs 1,400 million transistors into a 160 mm² die. The AMD Opteron 6328 is based on Piledriver, codenamed Abu Dhabi, and uses a 32 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It contains 2,400 million transistors spread across a dual-die design with each die measuring 315 mm². The AMD part is physically larger and less dense, reflecting the older process node.

Core and cache configurations diverge sharply. The i5-3570 has 4 cores and 4 threads, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. Its L3 cache is 6 MB shared. The Opteron 6328 has 8 cores and 8 threads, with a different cache hierarchy: 384 KB of L1 total, 2 MB of L2 per module, and 8 MB of L3 per die. The Opteron’s module-based design groups cores, which is a key architectural difference. The i5-3570’s cache is per-core, while the Opteron’s is per-module, affecting how threads share data.

Memory support also differs. Both support DDR3, but the i5-3570 uses a dual-channel memory bus with a theoretical bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The Opteron 6328 uses a quad-channel bus, doubling the memory channels to yield 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The Opteron also supports ECC memory, which the i5-3570 does not. PCIe connectivity is another split: the i5-3570 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Opteron is limited to Gen 2. The Intel part includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 2500), while the AMD part has none.

Release timing is close but not identical. The i5-3570 launched on May 31, 2012, with a launch MSRP of $194. The Opteron 6328 launched on November 4, 2012, with a launch MSRP of $575. Both are end-of-life products. The Opteron’s higher launch MSRP reflects its server/workstation market segment, while the i5-3570 is a desktop part. The socket differs as well: the i5-3570 uses Intel Socket 1155, and the Opteron uses AMD Socket G34. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The AMD Opteron 6328 wins all three multi-core tests: Cinebench R15 (454 vs 421), R20 (1894 vs 1758), and R23 (4510 vs 4187). The margin is 7.2% to 7.3% in each case.

Q: How close are the single-core scores?

A: The Opteron leads by 7.1% to 7.8% in single-core tests. In Cinebench R23, it scores 636 versus 591, a 45-point gap. In R15, the gap is 64 versus 59, and in R20 it is 267 versus 248.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-3570 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i5-3570 includes Intel HD 2500 integrated graphics. The AMD Opteron 6328 has no integrated graphics at all.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Opteron 6328 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-3570 does not. The Opteron also has a quad-channel memory bus, versus the i5-3570’s dual-channel.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570 has a TDP of 77W. The AMD Opteron 6328 has a TDP of 115W.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Opteron 6328 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-3570 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Opteron 6328 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so the data is clear on where it excels: all Cinebench workloads, both single-core and multi-core. It is the faster processor in R15, R20, and R23, with the largest margin being 7.8% in R15 single-core. For a user running rendering or other CPU-intensive tasks that use these benchmarks as proxies, the Opteron is the better performer. Its 8 cores and 8 threads also give it a theoretical advantage in heavily parallel workloads, even if the benchmark deltas are only around 7%.

The Intel Core i5-3570 wins in platform features rather than benchmarks. It has a lower TDP (77W vs 115W), which means less heat and potentially lower cooling requirements. It includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 2500), making it a self-contained desktop solution. It uses PCIe Gen 3, which is newer than the Opteron’s Gen 2. The i5-3570 also has a smaller die (160 mm² versus 2x 315 mm²) and fewer transistors (1,400 million versus 2,400 million), indicating a more efficient design. In single-core tests, the i5-3570 trails by only 7.1% to 7.8%, so for legacy or lightly-threaded applications, the Intel part is not far behind.

The Opteron wins on memory bandwidth (59.7 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s) and ECC support, which are critical for server and workstation reliability. The i5-3570 wins on power efficiency and integrated functionality. The data shows a clear performance winner in the Opteron, but a clear feature winner in the i5-3570. For a desktop user who values low power and integrated graphics, the i5-3570 is the logical pick. For a server workload that demands ECC memory and maximum bandwidth, the Opteron is the only choice.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ substantially: the i5-3570 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Opteron 6328 has 8 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz for the Intel part and 3.20 GHz for the AMD part, but both boost to 3.80 GHz. TDP is a major split, with the i5-3570 at 77W and the Opteron at 115W. The process node is 22 nm for Intel versus 32 nm for AMD. Transistor count is 1,400 million for the i5-3570 and 2,400 million for the Opteron. Die size is 160 mm² for the Intel part versus 2x 315 mm² for the AMD part.

Cache layouts are entirely different. The i5-3570 has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, with 6 MB shared L3. The Opteron has 384 KB L1 total, 2 MB L2 per module, and 8 MB L3 per die. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the bus width differs: dual-channel for Intel, quad-channel for AMD. Memory bandwidth is 25.6 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s. ECC memory is unsupported on the i5-3570 and supported on the Opteron. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the Intel part, and Gen 2 on the AMD part.

Integrated graphics are present only on the Intel side (Intel HD 2500). The Opteron has none. Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1155 versus AMD Socket G34. Market segments differ, with the i5-3570 classified as Desktop and the Opteron as Server/Workstation. The Opteron’s release date is November 4, 2012, about five months after the i5-3570’s May 31, 2012 launch. Launch MSRP is $194 for the Intel part and $575 for the AMD part. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SR0T7 for the i5-3570 and OS6328WKT8GHK for the Opteron.